On Song

Imagine an Opera and the lead singers, performing with gusto centre stage, probably come to mind first.  But what about the chorus?  The set?  The lighting?  And of course the costumes?

The men's section of the NZ Opera rehearsing The Flying Dutchman (Courtesy NZ Opera, Christine Syme)

Behind the three or so hours of any operatic performance, lie countless hours of rehearsal time, set building, promotion and wardrobe design.

Costume designs for Don Giovanni (Courtesy NZ Opera, Christine Syme)

And New Zealand Opera's Technical Centre, based in Onehunga, is where the magic happens. The centre allows the company to create its own sets, rehearse and do costume fittings - all under the same roof.

The centre's wardrobe cutting and fitting room (Courtesy NZ Opera, Christine Syme)

During a recent open day, visitors watched as the New Zealand Opera Chorus were put through their paces ahead of upcoming performances of Wagner's The Flying Dutchman starting in September. 

Spectrum's Lisa Thompson talking with NZ Opera's General Director Aidan Lang (Courtesy NZ Opera, Christine Syme)

Spectrum's Lisa Thompson joined them and spent the afternoon exploring the vast wardrobe, talking with the technical team and the company's general director Aidan Lang about what it takes to get a show on stage.

NZ Opera chorus in rehearsal (Courtesy NZ Opera, Christine Syme)